[iFi audio]

What's the latest firmware for the hip dac? Is it still 5.3c that was released around two years ago in 2018? If so, is there a new one due soon?

That's the latest. First we had to actually have something to improve

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Newest member of the Hip Dac family here

 

[JoshG1217]

Hey guys,

I have the hipdac and am running it with modded thieaudio phantoms and thieaudio L3's. It sounds great. I'm a basshead and really enjoy the xtra bass button. However, I don't like the clunky nature of having it connected to my phone, and am curious if anyone has compared it to the Fiio m11 pro. Anyone have both? If the m11 pro isn't an actual upgrade in sound, I will stick with the hipdac.

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Newest member of the Hip Dac family here

Welcome aboard!

I have the hipdac and am running it with modded thieaudio phantoms and thieaudio L3's. It sounds great. I'm a basshead and really enjoy the xtra bass button. However, I don't like the clunky nature of having it connected to my phone, and am curious if anyone has compared it to the Fiio m11 pro. Anyone have both? If the m11 pro isn't an actual upgrade in sound, I will stick with the hipdac.

Although I can't answer your question, at some point you might want to take a look at our xCAN and xDSD, both are wireless

 

[corgifall]

My review of the hip dac is up! Awesome little device.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-hip-dac.24211/reviews#item-review-24695

 

[JoshG1217]

I think its great! I may get an m15 at some point, but G8 with hipdac sounds dope. Drives me iems and open planars well, and the Xtra bass gits hard and really brings out the sub bass

 

[iFi audio]

My review of the hip dac is up! Awesome little device.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-hip-dac.24211/reviews#item-review-24695

I think its great! I may get an m15 at some point, but G8 with hipdac sounds dope. Drives me iems and open planars well, and the Xtra bass gits hard and really brings out the sub bass

Thanks a lot to both of you. My weekend got this much better already

 

[emilsal]

New hip dac owner checking in. Really enjoying this mini dac/amp when I’m away from my desktop set up. Currently running off a MacBook Air with a focal Elegia off the pentaconn output. With Mqa enabled the device comes alive and everything sounds like it has more presence and oomph. Really great product and a huge upgrade from my Fiio E10k I had before.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

New hip dac owner checking in. Really enjoying this mini dac/amp when I’m away from my desktop set up. Currently running off a MacBook Air with a focal Elegia off the pentaconn output. With Mqa enabled the device comes alive and everything sounds like it has more presence and oomph. Really great product and a huge upgrade from my Fiio E10k I had before.

100% Agree! Am using the Hip Dac now myself through the same output with Aeon Flow 2s and Cascades.

Glad you are enjoying it so much!

 

[Sammyez]

That's the latest. First we had to actually have something to improve

In addition to getting a Zen DAC for home use, I decided to get an Hip DAC for its portability, these sound excellent with my Hifiman Sundara headphones. I’ve also ordered some custom made Balanced cables (from OIDIO) as I understand this will improve the sound further.

The question I have is regarding the firmware upgrades? I listen to a lot of MQA music (via my Windows lap top using Tidal
and Audivana) but I am confused about the XMOS firmware update and 5.3c GTO filter?

I read the details on the ifi website but, not being technically minded, I’m a little lost? Perhaps, someone can explain (in simple terms) what difference this firmware would add and clarify the issue about it potentially becoming bricked and affect connections via USB?

 

[iFi audio]

In addition to getting a Zen DAC for home use, I decided to get an Hip DAC for its portability, these sound excellent with my Hifiman Sundara headphones. I’ve also ordered some custom made Balanced cables (from OIDIO) as I understand this will improve the sound further.

The question I have is regarding the firmware upgrades? I listen to a lot of MQA music (via my Windows lap top using Tidal
and Audivana) but I am confused about the XMOS firmware update and 5.3c GTO filter?

I read the details on the ifi website but, not being technically minded, I’m a little lost? Perhaps, someone can explain (in simple terms) what difference this firmware would add and clarify the issue about it potentially becoming bricked and affect connections via USB?

In short, our GTO filter that comes with the 5.3c firmware is applied to all PCM data sent to hip-dac. If you like what you hear with PCM files, I wouldn't touch this firmware. But if you'd like how hip-dac sounds without the GTO engaged by default, you can try 5.3 firmware instead. Both 5.3c and 5.3 allow for MQA playback, but any older firmware doesn't.

 

[Sammyez]

In short, our GTO filter that comes with the 5.3c firmware is applied to all PCM data sent to hip-dac. If you like what you hear with PCM files, I wouldn't touch this firmware. But if you'd like how hip-dac sounds without the GTO engaged by default, you can try 5.3 firmware instead. Both 5.3c and 5.3 allow for MQA playback, but any older firmware doesn't.

Thanks for the reply. Although I’m still unclear if the 5.3c GTO filter will improve the sound further? Perhaps some people here who’ve tried it can give their feedback.

The other concern was that applying a firmware update could lead to the unit becoming bricked as mentioned on the ifi website. I don’t know if this a real possibility or just a disclaimer?

In short, my objective is to try and squeeze the best detail and performance from the DAC and enjoy predominantly MQA music to it’s best potential via my set up

 

[iFi audio]

Although I’m still unclear if the 5.3c GTO filter will improve the sound further? Perhaps some people here who’ve tried it can give their feedback.

Any digital filter is a matter of one's own taste. Many folks like our GTO but some return to previous firmware. I wouldn't rely on any feedback here as this is too subjective. If you like how your hip-dac sounds with PCM files, I wouldn't change anything

The other concern was that applying a firmware update could lead to the unit becoming bricked as mentioned on the ifi website. I don’t know if this a real possibility or just a disclaimer?

It's a small chance, but it might happen.

In short, my objective is to try and squeeze the best detail and performance from the DAC and enjoy predominantly MQA music to it’s best potential via my set up

Since MQA is your primary focus and there's no difference 5.3 and 5.3c firmware in this regard, please use the one you have installed now.

 

[Taz777]

Is there any way to get a line out from the iFi hip dac?

My hip dac is hardly used at the moment and I would like to set up a very small speaker-based system in a bedroom comprising the hip dac as the source (connected to a phone) and an amp and speakers. However, the amp would need a line output from the hip dac.

 

[Sammyez]

Is there any way to get a line out from the iFi hip dac?

My hip dac is hardly used at the moment and I would like to set up a very small speaker-based system in a bedroom comprising the hip dac as the source (connected to a phone) and an amp and speakers. However, the amp would need a line output from the hip dac.

I got a ifi Zen DAC for home use. Sounds like you need one of these as it has a line out. The same signature as a Hip DAC.